Autographic register



` June 1'1, '1940. R KATZ ET AL 2,204,220

AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed Feb. 6, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A'ITORNEYJ,

June 11, 1940. R KATZ Er AL 2,204,220

AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed Fab. e, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY. .v

Panarea June 11, 1940.

UNITED STATES PATENT or-'Fl-cr'.y

AU'roGaArmo REGISTER .l

Application February 6, 1939, Serial No. 254,822

1s claims. (ci. 282-12) This invention relates to autographic registers Vor manifolding machines and is particularly directed to improvement of the portable type of register.

T'hepaper dispensed by this type of machine is in the form of superposed strips, known as continuous form stationery. These strips have been zig-zag folded for stacking and packaging. Each strip includes printed forms dened by transverse weakened tear lines.

Heretofore, these registers have included a 'sheet metal housing for sustaining and enclosing the paper feeding mechanism. Accordingly, it has been necessary to paint the metal for embellishment and it has been difficult to provide a register 'having a really artistic contour. Furthermore, the metal has been subject to rust and marring of the surface finish.

It has been the object of the present inventors to provide an autographic register in which the housing-is formed of molded plastic. more. it has beenthe object to provide that the molded plastic housing is reinforced by the ar-f Arangement of the operating unit Within and relative to it. With these objects in mind, the inventors have. constructed the working parts and elements as a. unit,V which unit isset within the housing and arranged in such a manner that the molded plastic is strengthened against warping.

More specifically, an embodiment of the invention may be constituted by a molded plastic housing incorporating upper and lower sections with the chassis or operating unit secured within the base. The top wall of the unit thus may constitute thewriting platen and for this purpose may be exposed through an opening in the cover section. .The operating unit may contain the supply of paper to be dispensed across the platen, through the front of the register.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved autographic register or manifolding machine with a portion of the rear end of the cover broken away to illustrate parts located therebeneath and otherwise hidden.A 45 Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 isa section on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the forward end of the base of the housing. l A

Figure .5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an .enlarged top plan view of the mechanism employed Within the forward end of the housing forA arresting the feed of therecord strips and to maintain their form registration. The view includes a. portion of the forward end of the housing.

-of the machine housing, plastic of dish, or tray form, its bottom having Further- ,e

IFigure 7 is a fragmentary elevation. showing the handle inits normal'and also in its forward positions. ,l

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is ai sectional view taken on -line Ill-loof Figure 6.

Figure l1 is an enlarged sectional view taken similar to Figure l0, with the mechanism at the limit of its forward stroke.

Figure 12 is a detailed view of one ofthe spring clips.

`Referring to the drawings, I indicates the base formed of a molded a central longitudinal channel or recess, providing opposite marginal ledges22 upon which a chassis, containing the metal working parts of the device, is supported and fixed. The bottom of the chassis provides a reenforcement for the base of the casing and the channel or recess, a storage bin or compartment for filing the record sheets as issued from -the machine, admitted therein from its forward open end, which is normally closed by a door 3, hinged at its'lower end to the base. The hinge is spring urged for door self-closing. The under side of the base at its forward and rear ends and relative opposite sides is formed with boss-like formations, providing knobs 44-4 forsu'pporting and resting `the housing.

The forward wall 5 of the base projects upward- 1y above the plane of the side walls and is preferably of hollow, or double-wall formation, having a plane vertical wall surface at its inner side, and of rounded and protruding configuration atfits outer side, the walls meeting at their opposite lower ends and merging with the front knobs at opposite ends lof the opening of the channel or storage compartment, which, together with the' double-wall formation above the channel opening produces an extremely sturdy front wall.

The excessive thickness givesprominence to the exterior of the wall and`-allows for the prof vision of a rather deep central concavity 'l for a iinger clearance, to obtain a finger hold upon a slightly protruding leading end of the record y strips, or strip stationery. The wall, at its opposite upper ends, is elevated to provide opposite shoulders 8` for guiding the linear extraction or Withdrawal of the strips which materially reduces the possibility of disarranging the relative align- Y ment and registration of the portion of the strips sustained upon the writing table, as a part of the chassis within the h'ousing or casing. 'I'he contour of the top of the front wall, with its oppoconnected thereto at a side thereof, to open4` outwardly alongside the base, and has the lforward portion of its top wall framed to provide an opening Il of suitable size for the necessary exposure of the writing space of a form length of the strips disposed upon a writing platen I2 therebeneath.

The cover is provided with curved or rounded deep side and rear end walls in harmony or continuation with the low or shallow walls of the base which they surmount. The deep wall cover and comparatively shallow walled base, when the cover is open, entirely exposes the internal mechanism, offering convenience and ease of accessibility for loading.

The longitudinal edges I8 for the sides of the' opening II, in the cover, have a bead or flange on the under side for strengthening the top wall marginally of the opening, and occupy a comparatively close relationship to the upper surface of the writing platen. The space allowance is merely sumcient to accommodate the number of manifolding record strips employed and effect permit the operator to obtain a finger hold uponY a slight impingement along their longitudinal marginal' ends tending to hold the strips flush upon the platen and against casual displacement. I'his `does not eii'ect any material impedance to the advancement or withdrawal of the strips lengthwise of the writing platen.

A forward crossbar Il, as a part of the cover and forming the forward end of the opening II, has a curved upper side elevated above the top plane of the cover, increasing its thickness for :trengthening It has its lower surface iiat and in plane with the longitudinal beading I3, and a square front edge to meet with the rear side of the upward projections at the opposite ends of the frontwall 5 of the base providingja tear edge across which the record strips can be pulled for severing the forms from the strips. The crossbar, centrally at its upper side and forward edge, has a cavity I5, formed therein in line with the cavity. 'I for establishing a thumb clearance to Y the leading end of the strips.

The edgesl of side and rear walls of the cover coincide with the adjoining edges of the base so as to snugly rest thereupon, with the outer surfaces'mergingfor a continuance of the contour curvature or configuration.

The base and cover are hingedly connected by a spring clip I5, Vhaving opposite ends of hook form, each for respectively claspingly engaging with teeth I'I-I'I recessed, respectively, within the inner side cf the walls of the base and cover, binding the meeting edges, which are of socket Joint form, to permit one to swing upon the other.

This'provides an eiiicient adaptation for hingedly connecting the two sections of the carrier, particularly-"when formed of a moulded plastic, as the'hinge connection lcan be made by Simply snapping the spring clip into place, therebvelin'i-- inating the use of any fastening elements piercing into the parts connected. The spring is Aof a character to yhold the cover in either open or closed position and move the cover in either an opening or closing action upon passing an intermediate position. p

'Ihe rounded figure for the ends and sides of the housing, aside from its ornamental aspect and the production of a streamline design effect, materially increases the stability of the housing, as well as making it more convenient to handle in carriage.

In order to avoid assembling any of the working or moving parts directly upon the lcasing that would complicate its manufacture, the working parts are mounted upon a. chassis I8, formed of sheet metal and as a unit set within and fixed to ,the base ofthe housing section upon the ledges 2 thereof. The bottom wall of the chassis forms i a closure for the channel in the housing base and reinforces the base. The chassis I8 constitutes a sheet metal container of.a width for compactly storing a fiat package of strip stationery.

I'he bottom I9 of the chassis I8 is of extended width to overlap' and rest upon the ledges 2 2 of the base of the housing, to which it is secured preferably by means of wood screws threaded into drill holes insaid margins. 'Ihe bottom of' the chassis provides a reenforcing web f or the housing base and constitutes the only part permanently fastened to the housing.

The writing platen I2 covers ,the top of the.

chassis and is hingedly connected thereto at the forward end to swing upwardly and forwardly. The rear end of the writing platen is undercurved to provide a rounded edge about which the record strips are guided as advanced and unfolded from the packet within the supply compartment to overlie the platen.

'The chassis, at one side, is provided with a compartment 20 for holding a roll of carbon-coated manifolding strips, having a portion unreeled and extending crosswise of the platen, and interleaved between the superposed record strips upon the platen in the usual manner.

'I'he mechanism for initiating the feeding advance fo'r withdrawal of the strips to project their leading end beyond the tear edge for iinger grasp is of a type shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,982,606 to F. G. Diesbach, November 27, 1934, and is installed in a space between the forward end walls of the chassis and supply cornpartment.

For convenience in manufacture and assembly, the arresting mechanism is organized as a separate unit and comprises a frame 24 approximately rectangular. having a carriage plate 25' pivotally or hingedly mounted therein, vertically disposed and yieldingly urged to bear against rollers 26 carried by a crank plate 21, l The crank plate 21 is iixed upon a. rock shaft 28 journalled in the opposite end walls o'f the frame 2l, beyond which one end extends. and carries a handle 29. Upon depressing the handle, the crank plate A21 is actuated to swing the rollers 28 forwardly, moving the carrier plate therewith;

I'he rollers each respectively bear against a cam 38, struck out fromv the carrier plate. The

cam is of convex form, which, after the roller reaches the peak thereof, permits the same'to continue' in their forward arc of movement to ride against the downward inclined portion of the cam without vcontinuing the forward motion 9i the carrier plate. Thus,as the carrier plate jecting forwardly therefrom and centrally thereofl into contact with a lug 32 projecting laterally from a slide plate 33, slidingly and reciprocally mounted upon the rear side of the carrier plate 25. 'I'he slide plate 33 at its upper end carries a pair of vertically extended pins 34--34, which respectively engage through an aperture in record strips for connection therewith. to initiate the advance of the record strips and Vproject thev leading end beyond the tear edge of the housing to be grasped bythe operator for a continued manual withdrawal of the strips.

After a carrier reaches the limit of its forward stroke, the slide plate is depressed by the crank plate, retracting the pins from the .record strip apertures. The slide plate is locked in its depressed position by a latch spring 35 mounted upon the carrier plate, and apertures to engage with a lug 36 projecting laterally from the slide plate. The pins are thus held depressed during the return stroke of the carrier plate, to be free from interference with the record strips, and at therend of the return stroke the latch is tripped by engaging with a pin 31 projecting from the upper end of the rear wall of the frame 24. The pin 31 tlexes the latch spring 35, releasing its connection with the locking lug 36 of the slide plate, whereupon the slide plate is free and moved upwardly by spring pressure, allowing the record strip penetrating pins to yieldingly bear against the under side of the record `strips in position ready to snap through an vaperture in the advance of the record strips when brought into registry therewith.

The crank plate.2'|,' at each of its opposite ends, is provided with hooks :iB- 38, each respectively engaging an edge in the opposite ends of the carrier plate to lock the carrier plate at either end of its oscillating stroke. and controlled by the depressing action of the handle 29 with which the hooks, as a part of the crank plate,

connect. The rock shaft 28 and the camplate 25 both are under spring tension to impart a re turn stroke as soon as the operator releases his thumb hold upon the handle 29, to automatically bring all parts to a normal position for a subsequent operation.

The under side of the cross bar H of the housing is notched to provide a clearance for the forward arc of movement of the record strip aperture engaging pins 34, which have a reach slightly beyond the at lower side of the cross bar.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A housing for autographic registers and like machines, said housing formed of a molded plastic and comprising: a base and a cover hinged together, the base being of shallow interior and having a centrally longitudinally vchannelled bottom producing ledges at the opposite longitudinal sides for 'the support and mounting of a chassis containing the working parts of the machine, and

-a front wall of higher elevation than the sides of the base having its upper edge recessed to provide shoulders for guiding the record' strip in its withdrawal from the housing, the front wall centrally having a concavity for clearance to obtain a finger hold upon the leading end of 'the record strip, and the cover of deep wall formation resting upon the sides and rear end of the base, its front end adjoining the inner side of the elevated front wall of the base, the top of the cover having an opening therein to frame and expose a form length of record strip sustained upon a writing platen beneath the top of the cover, the forward margin of the top of the cover bridging the recess in the front wall 4of the-base l and therewith providing an outlet for the record strip and a tear edge for record strip severance, and a sheet metalchassis within the housing fixed to the base thereof providing a container for a record strip packet, the top of the chassis providing a writing platen immediately beneath the top of the housing cover, framed by the open forward portion of the cover.

' 2. A housing for autographic registers and like machines, said housing formed of a molded plastic and comprising: a base and a cover hinged on the base, the base being of shallow interior having a front wall' of higher elevation than the sides of the base, 'andits upper edge recessed to provide shoulders for guiding a record strip in its withdrawal from the housing, the top of the front wall centrally having a concavity forv wall of the base and therewith providing an outlet for the record strip and a tear edge for record strip severance.

3. A housing for autographicregisters and like machines, said housing formed of a molded plastic and comprising: a base and a. cover hinged on the base, the front wall of the base having its upper edge' recessed for guiding the advance :of a record strip in its withdrawal from the housing, the cover resting upon the sides and rear end of the base, its frontend adjoining theinner side of the front wall of the base, and its top wall having an opening therein to frame and expose a form length of record strip sustained uponV a writing platen beneath the top of the cover, the forward margin of the cover top bridging the recess in the front wall of the base and providing a tear edge for record strip severance.

4. A housing for autographic registers and like machines, said housing formed of a molded plastic and comprising: base and cover hinged on the base, the front wall of the base having its upper edge recessed and positioned in advance of the corresponding end of the cover for guiding the advance of a record strip in its withdrawal from the housing, and the coverV havingan opening in the forward portion `of its top to frame and expose a form length of record strip sustained upon a writing platen beneath the top of the cover, and the forward edge of the cover bridging the recess in the front wall of the base and therewith forming an outlet for the record strip and a tear edge for record strip severance.

5. A housing for autographic registers and like machines, said housing formed'of a moldedv plastic and comprising: base and cover hinged on the base, the front wall of the base being of extended height to overlie the front end o1' thc cover and ,having its upper edge recessed for guiding the advance of a. record strip Vin its withdrawal from the housing, and the cover having an opening in the forward portion of its top margin to expose a form length of record strip sustained upon a writingplaten beneath the top of the cover with the forward edge of the cover bridging the recess in the front wall of the base and therewith forming an outlet for the record 6. A housing for autographic registers and like machines, 'said housing formed of a molded plastic and comprising: a shallow base and a deep cover hinged on the base, the front wall of the base being Vof extended height to overlie the front end of the 'cover and having its upper edge recessed for guiding the advance of a record strip in its withdrawal from the housing, and the cover having an opening in the forward portion of its top to frame and expose a form lengthV of record strip sustained upon a writing platen beneath the top of the cover with the forward edge bridging the recess in the front wall of the base and providing a tear edge for record strip severance; the front wall of the base and the forward end of the top Vof the cover, each having a cavity centrally therein to provide clearance for obtaining a linger hold upon the leading end ofthe record strip when projected slightly beyond the tear edge of the cover for manual withdrawal of the strip.

'7.'In an autographic register and like machines a housing formed of a molded plastic,

' comprising: a shallow base and a deep cover hinged together, the front wall of the base having its upper edge recessed and positioned in advance of .the corresponding end of the cover for guiding the advance of a record strip in its withdrawal from the housing, the cover having an opening in the forward portion of its top` to frame and expose a form length of record strip sustained upon a Writing platen beneath the top of the cover, the forward edge bridging the recess in the front wall of the base and providing a tear edge for record strip severance, a chassis formed-of sheet metal disposed within the housing andfixed to the base thereof, said chassis providing a writing platen for sustaining a form length of the record strip beneath the top of the cover of the housing, a compartment for a record strip supply packet, and the mechanism for initiating and arresting the advance of the record strip over the writing platen.

8. In an autographic register and like `machines a housing formed of a molded plastic, comprising: a base and cover 'hinged together, the base having the front wall of higher elevation than the sides and its upper edge recessed for guiding the advance of a record strip in its withdrawal from the housing, the cover being of deep wall-formation resting upon the sides and rear endof the base, its front end adjoining the inner side of the elevated front wall of the base,the top of the cover having an opening therein to frame and expose a form length of record strip sustained upon a writing platen beneath the top of the cover, the forward margin of the top of the cover bridging the recess in the front wall of the base and providing a tear edge for record strip severance, a. chassis within the housing xed to the base, said chassis providing a writing platen immediately beneath the top of the cover and a compartment for a, record strip supply packet, the record strip in unfolding from its packet form being supported'upon and advanced over the writing platen.

9. In an autographic register and like machines, ahousing formed of a molded plastic, comprising: a 4base and Aa. cover hinged on the base, the baseV at its upper forward end recessed for guiding the -advance of a record strip in its withdrawal from the housing, the cover having an opening in its top wall to lmargin and expose a form length of record strip sustained upon a writing platen beneath the top of the cover, the forward margin thereof bridging the recess in the front wall of the base and providing a. tear edge for record strip severance, a chassis within the housing, containing a writing platen immediately beneath, and parallel to the top of the cover, and the means for initiating and arresting the advance of the re'cord strip over the writing platen and providing a continuous form record strip supply packet, the

record strip in4 unfolding from its packet form being disposed upon and advanced over the writing platen.

10. In an autographic register and like machines a housing formed of a molded plastic and comprising: a base and a cover hinged on the base, the base at its upper formed end recessed for guiding the advance of a record strip in its withdrawal from the-housing, and the cover having an opening in its top wall to frame and expose a form length of record strip sustained upon a writing platen beneath the top of the cover, the forward margin thereof bridging thev recess in the front wall of the base and providing a tear edge for record-stlip severance, a chassis within the housing, containing a writing platen immediately beneath and parallel to the top of the cover, Vand including means for initiating and arresting the advance of the record strip over the writing platen and providing a continuous form record strip supply packet, the record strip in unfolding from its packet form being disposed upon and' advanced over the writing platen.

11. An autographic register comprising a molded plastic housing composed of a base section and a cover section hinged on the base section, the sections at one end formed to provide an outlet for a record strip of continuous stationery whereby the outlet is opened upon swinging the cover to its open position for accessibility to the record strip, and a chassis providing a container for the strip stationery and a writ- `ing platen set within the base of the casing and secured to the bottom thereof, said chassis carrying the working parts cooperating with the stationery for instituting and initiating an adand a writing platen set within the base of the housing and secured to the bottom thereof and carrying the working parts, cooperating with the stationery for instituting and initiating an `advance thereof over the writing platen to extend the leading end of the strip from the outlet,

and the cover'section of the housing having an opening therethrough to expose the portion of the record strip disposed upon the writing platen.

1'3. An autographic register comprising a molded plastic housing composed of a base section and a cover section hinged on the base section,

the sections at one end formed to provide an outlet for a record strip of continuous stationery, the outlet opened upon swinging the cover to its open position for accessibility to the record strip, and a chassis providing a container for the strip stationery, and a writing platen iixed within the base of the housing carrying the working parts, cooperating with the stationery for advancing the stationery over the writing platen and dispensing the same through said housing outlet.

14. An autographic register, comprising, a molded plastic housing composed of a base section and a cover section hinged on the base section, the iront end wall of the base section extended upwardly with the front end of the cover providing an aperture for dispensing 'a record strip of continuous stationery from a writing table immediately beneath the top `of the cover, the aperture opened upon swinging the cover to an open position, a. chassis of container form within the housing secured to the base section thereof, its top providing a writing platen exposed through an opening in the housing cover for autographing upon a portion of the record strip disposed thereon, and means within the forward end of the chassis for advancing and dispensing the same through the housing aperture.

15. An autographic register, comprising, a molded plastic housing composed of a base section and a cover section hinged on the base section, the front end wall of the base section and the front endof the cover providing an aperture for dispensing a record strip of continuous stationery from a Writing table immediately beneath the top ofthe cover, the aperture opened upon swinging the cover to an open position, a chassis of container form lwithin the housing secured to the base section thereof, its top providing a writing platen exposed through an opening in the housing cover for autographing upon a portion of the record strip disposed thereon, and

' means within the forward end of the chassis for cover section, and strip feeding and arresting means mounted within the chassis.

17. An autographic register, comprising, a molded plastic casing constituting a base section and a cover section, the base section having a channeled bottom, a sheet metal chassis mounted within said casing and fixed to the bottom of the base section providing a container for vthe strip stationery employed in the register, and the top wall of the chassis a writing platen immediately beneath the top of the cover section of the casing and exposed through an opening in the cover section, the bottom of the chassis providing a closure for the channel, the channel forming a tiling compartment within the casing, accessible through an opening in one of the bottom sections of' the casing, and strip feeding and arresting means mounted Within the chassis.

18. An autographic register, comprising,v a

molded plastic casing including a base section and a Acover section, an -operating unit mounted within said casing and fixed therein, said operating unit including strip feeding and arresting means and the top of said operating unit forming a writing platen, said upper section including an opening 'exposing'the top of said operating unit, said operating unit secured in position at a number of evenly distributed points so as to securely hold it to the base section whereby the base section is reinforced by means of the operating unit.

RUSSELL KATZ.

HARRY J. WAECHTER. 

